Sheet Application Apparatus

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a wrapping apparatus for a structure configured to deliver a rolled material in a safe and efficient manner. The apparatus includes a crossbar configured to roll along the top surface of a wall, a roll retention member depending in a generally downward direction from the crossbar to hold a roll of material, and a retention member depending in a generally downward direction to secure the apparatus to the wall. The apparatus is configured to roll along the top surface of a wall and to move around corners of the structure.

PRIORITY

This non-provisional application is a continuation of PCT Application Serial No. PCT/US2008/068785, entitled “Sheet Application Apparatus,” filed Jun. 30, 2008, which claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/947,111, entitled “Sheet Application Apparatus,” filed Jun. 29, 2007. These previous applications are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an apparatus for insulating a structure and, more particularly, to a roller apparatus for wrapping a structure in a paper or polymer material.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Before the current awareness of the use of energy in the country and the world, houses were built with a frame of lumber, a sheathing of plywood, and an outer covering of some kind of siding such as brick, aluminum siding, wooden shakes, etc. This type of construction permitted air to migrate into the structure between the small openings in the various building materials that were used.

Insulation was added in the frame to reduce this migration of air, thus reducing the energy consumption of the structure.

In addition to the insulation, newer building practices “wrap” the structure with a paper or polymer sheet to cover all areas where unwanted air may enter a structure. One preferred way to manufacture and supply this paper or polymer sheet is by winding such onto a cardboard tube and supplying said sheet in the form of a roll. workers are often needed to install the rolls of paper. One worker is positioned on the top of the scaffolding and holds the top of the roll of paper or polymer. A second worker is positioned at the bottom of the roll of paper and supports the weight of the roll of paper while it is being installed. The third worker attaches the paper to the outside of the structure.

This method of installation of the paper polymer has several drawbacks. A scaffold must be built around the structure, which takes time, planning, and is costly. Resources must also be dedicated to removal of the scaffolding when the process is complete. In some cases, when the scaffolding is not promptly removed, work on the structure may be delayed, which results in lost time and lower profit margins for the project. Additionally, the worker positioned on the top of the scaffold is often constantly moving, thereby increasing the chances they will fall from the scaffold and incur injury.

In current systems the weight of the paper roll is generally supported by the person on the ground. This can be tiresome and can result in various injuries or misapplication of the paper. Misapplication of the paper reduces the paper's effectiveness in preventing air migration into the structure. The roll of paper may be difficult to handle and is, on occasion, dropped and damaged resulting in loss of installation time and, in some cases, the loss of the roll of paper.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the specification illustrate several aspects of the present invention, and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention; it being understood, however, that this invention is not limited to the precise arrangements shown. In the drawings, like reference numerals refer to like elements in the several views. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of one version of a sheet application apparatus shown with the apparatus positioned on a typical wall for application of a sheet material with a retention member shown in the vertical position to secure the apparatus adjacent the wall.

FIG. 2 is a right side view of the sheet application apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 shown with the retention member in a horizontal position such that the apparatus is able to traverse a corner of the wall.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 shown in the narrow wall width configuration.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 shown in the wide width wall configuration.

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the apparatus of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged isometric view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 showing a more detailed view of the retention member rotated 90 degrees from the view shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged isometric view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 showing a more detailed view of the retention member rotated 180 degrees from the view shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged isometric view of the apparatus of FIG. 8 shown with the retention member removed from the apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Versions of the house wrap roller described herein include an apparatus configured to improve the efficiency and safety of applying rolled polymer or paper to a structure. The apparatus may reduce the number of people required to apply rolled material to a structure, reduce the likelihood that rolls will be dropped and damaged, reduce the likelihood of worker injury, and eliminate the need for scaffolding.

Specifically, some of potential benefits of the house wrap roller apparatus include, (1) reducing the likelihood of the need to build scaffolding, thus reducing the preparation time to install paper or polymer sheet, (2) reducing the likelihood that three or more people will be needed to install the paper or polymer sheet, thus saving money and reducing the risk of injury, (3) eliminating the need for a person at the bottom end of a roll to support the full weight of the roll, and (4) reducing the likelihood of dropped and damaged rolls of paper because the roll is supported by the apparatus and the wall of the structure.

FIG. 1 shows one version of the apparatus 10 configured for use in the installation of rolled sheet material such as rolled paper or polymer material. The apparatus 10 is used in conjunction with a wall 7 of the structure for application of the rolled material. The wall 7 may be of different widths, depending on the structure, where in one version the apparatus 10 is adjustable and is configured for use with walls 7 having varying widths. For example, the wall 7 shown in FIG. 1 is a narrow width wall typically five inches in total width. This wall 7 is typically made of nominal 2×4 inch lumber or 2×4 metal framing members with half inch thick board over the lumber or framing pieces. Another typical installation is the use of nominal 2×6 inch lumber of 2×6 metal framing members with typically half inch thick board over the framing pieces. The apparatus 10 may be configured for use with standard width walls or may be used with any suitable structure in any suitable range of dimensions.

A roll 6 of material used in conjunction with the apparatus 10 may be, for example, 4 to 4½ inches in diameter and the length of the roll 6 may be from two feet to ten feet, but may have any suitable dimensions. Other smaller and larger roll diameters are possible and other lengths of rolls may be produced and used depending on the structure and the application. Multiple rolls may also be used at one time.

Referring to FIG. 1, one version of the apparatus 10 includes a top bar 1 configured to suspend the roll 6 from the wall 7, where the top bar 1 is configured to rest parallel with the top surface of the wall 7. The top bar 1 is a member made of a suitable plastic, metal, or other rigid material sufficiently strong to support the suspending roll 6 from the wall 7. In one version, the top bar is PVC plastic and is designed to be injection molded. Other embodiments of the design could be machined, molded, or the like, to achieve the desired part configuration. In the illustrated version, the top bar 1 is a rigid horizontal member, or longitudinal member, having a round cross-section. The top bar 1 may be round to facilitate rolling the top bar 1 along the top surface of the wall 7. Alternatively, the top bar 1 may have a planar surface configured to engage the wall 7, where the top bar 1 may be designed to slide along the wall 7.

The horizontal top bar 1 is intersected with two vertical members, a roll retention member 2 and a stabilizing bar 3, which are configured to couple, permanently or detachably, with the top bar 1 and may contain, for example, a female thread to engage the top bar 1. The distance between the roll retention member 2 and a stabilizing bar 3 may be such that a wall 7 is straddled by the inverted u-shaped apparatus 10. In one version, the apparatus 10 is adjustable such that the roll retention member 2 and a stabilizing bar 3 may be drawn proximate the wall 7 to securely attach the apparatus 10 to the wall 7. The center portion of the top bar 1, in one version, is round to accept a number of round tubular bearings 4. The top bar 1 may include one or a plurality of bearings 4, which may be used to facilitate rolling the top bar 1 along the top surface of the wall 7. The design and number of bearings can be determined by the manufacturing process. In the illustrated version, one end of the top bar 1 is generally round with an offset protrusion. This round and offset protrusion is designed, in the illustrated version, to accept the stabilizing bar 3.

In one version, the top bar 1 includes at least two members coupled with a spring configured to bias the top bar 1 towards a first resting width. The members of the top bar 1 may be urged apart during placement of the top bar 1 on the wall 7 such that when the members are released the spring biases the top bar to retract until the roll retention member 2 and retention member 3 securely abut the wall 7. In this manner the top bar 1 may accommodate a wall having a variable width without having to readjust the apparatus 10 and may accommodate walls having non-standard widths in a secure manner.

Roll retention member 2 is a member made of a suitable plastic, metal or other rigid material sufficiently strong to support the roll 6 from the wall 7. The roll retention member 2 has a coupling, such as a threaded end configured to engage the top bar 1, but may include any suitable coupling including a snap fit, a friction fit, a luer lock, or the like. The length of this roll retention member 2 may be, for example, two feet with an outside diameter of approximately 1.25 inches. Other outside and internal diameters may be used. The diameter of the roll retention member 2 is configured such that it can be inserted into the inner diameter of the roll 6. The apparatus 10 may be provided with roll retention members 2 having various sizes and diameters to accommodate different sized rolls or, in the alternative, the roll retention member 2 may have an adjustable diameter to accommodate various rolls. The roll retention member 2 may have a telescoping body of nested tubes, as shown in FIG. 6, configured to accept varying lengths of rolls 6. In one version, roll retention member 2 is fit together in a series of threadedly connected nested tubes. A quantity of tubes can be put together to achieve an overall length greater than the length of the roll 6. Various quantities of roll retention members 2 may be used depending on the length of the roll retention member 2 and the length of the roll 6. The roll retention member 2 may be adjustable, such as with a telescoping configuration, or may otherwise be sized to accept any suitable roll 6, rolled material, dispensable material, or the like.

The apparatus 10 includes a roll support 5 configured to couple with the lower end of the roll retention member 2 to secure the roll 6 on the apparatus 10. The roll support 5 may be a flanged member having a diameter or width greater than the internal diameter of the roll 6. The roll support may be a rectangular piece approximately four inches long and two inches wide with a male threaded portion extending from the top surface, although other couplings are contemplated including a friction fit, a snap fit, or the like. The roll support 5 may be detachably coupled to the roll retention member 2 to allow for the interchangeable rolls 6 or, in an alternate version, may be permanently attached for single use. The roll support 5 is a member made of a suitable plastic, metal, or other rigid material sufficiently strong to support the roll 6 from the wall 7. Other embodiments could include other shapes than rectangular such as round, square, or any other shape which would support the roll 6. The roll support 5 may be any suitable feature associated with the roll retention member 2 that retains a roll 6, or other dispenser, in a substantially secure manner while permitting rotation of the dispenser about the roll retention member 2.

In one version, rollers or bearings 4 include one or a plurality of tubular pieces configured to rotate about the top bar 1. The bearings 4 may have an inside diameter slightly larger than the corresponding outer diameter of top bar 1. Rotation may be achieved in any suitable manner by including, for example, ball bearings, materials having a low coefficient of friction, lubrication, or combinations thereof. Rollers or bearings 4 are members made of a suitable plastic, metal, or other rigid material sufficiently strong to support the roll 6 from the wall 7 while tracking along the top surface of the wall 7. The width of the bearings 4 is such that the number of rollers or bearings 4 used in the design supports the weight of the roll 6. Rollers or bearings 4 may be any suitable rotational member configured to rotate or articulate around the top bar 1. Any suitable number of bearings 4 may be incorporated into the apparatus 10 depending on various factors including the width of the wall or the weight of the roll, where the apparatus 10 may include a set number of bearings 4 or may be adjustable by the user.

The retention member 3, in one version, is coupled to a second end of the top bar 1 and is configured to secure the apparatus 10 adjacent the wall 7. The retention member 3 may be rotatable, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 7-9, to secure and release the apparatus to the wall 7. In one version, the retention member 3 is a tubular member approximately 1 inch in diameter. The upper end of the retention member 3 is comprised of a keyed tubular section configured to couple with the second end of the top bar 1 such that the retention member 3 is rotatable relative to the top bar 1. The retention arm 3 may be made of a suitable plastic, metal or other rigid material sufficiently strong to support the apparatus 10 from falling off of the wall 7.

Retention member 3 may be any suitable support member configured to balance, retain, support, guide, or otherwise assist in the delivery of a material. For example, as illustrated, the roll retention member 2, the top bar 1, and the retention member 3 may form a generally u-shaped configuration depending in a generally downward direction. The top bar 1, or center portion of the U-shape, may have any suitable structure configured to move, roll, glide, slide, wrap, or the like, along the top surface of a wall, beam, bar, support, roof, scaffold, railing, projection, or the like to aid in dispensing a material retained on the delivery member, or roll retention member 2. The retention member 3 may have any suitable length sufficiently long to prevent the apparatus 10 from tipping away from the wall 10 due to the weight of the roll 6.

The retention member 3 may be configured to rotate about the central axis of the top bar to accommodate corners of buildings, where the retention member 3 may be rotated to a lateral or upward position while moving around corners and then returned to a generally downward position for movement along a wall. For example, the apparatus 10 may be translated along a first wall 7 to deliver a material with the arm in a generally downward projecting first position, the arm 3 may be raised to a second generally raised position upon reaching a corner, the apparatus 10 may turn the corner, and the arm 3 may be lowered to the first position for translation along a second wall.

It will be appreciated that any suitable component, including the roll retention member 2, the retention member 3, or the top bar 1 may be configured with rollers, or the like, to aid in movement or translation. Translation or movement of the apparatus 10 may be accomplished in any suitable manner including mechanical movement, hand movement, electronic movement, remote controlled movement, or the like. Any suitable configuration of the roll retention member 2, the retention member 3, the top bar 1, or any other additional structure, may be provided. The apparatus 10 may have a general u-shape or any other suitable shape. The apparatus may be molded as a single piece or as a plurality of interlocking components.

Generally, the apparatus 10 may be used by placing a roll 6, or other dispensable material, over the roll retention member 2. The roll support 5 may then be engaged with the roll retention member 2 to retain the dispenser, or roll 6, between the roll support 5 and the top bar 1. The apparatus 10 may then be placed over a wall with the top bar lying substantial horizontal to the top of the wall with the roll retention member 2 and the retention member 3 projecting generally downward. The apparatus 10 may then be translated along the wall 7 in such a manner that material is dispensed. Material may be dispensed in any suitable manner such as, for example, by attaching a portion of an adhesive material to the first end of a wall 7 and translating the apparatus such that the material is unwound from the dispenser. Suitable materials may include sheet materials, paint, liquids, paper, insulation, or the like.

Referring to FIG. 4, the apparatus 10 may include a coupling between the top bar 1 and the roll retention member 2 that allows a user to select a pre-determined width. FIG. 4 illustrates a top bar 1 having two threaded couplings that can be engaged with the roll retention member 2 at a narrow width and a wide with. In FIG. 4, the roll retention member 2 is shown coupled with the narrow width coupling and, in FIG. 5, the roll retention member 2 is shown coupled with the wide width coupling. The top bar 1 may be provided with such couplings at standard widths and/or may be telescoping to accommodate a wide range of wall widths. 

1. A rolled material delivery apparatus comprising: (a) a top bar, the top bar having a first end and a second end, wherein the top bar is configured for association with the top surface of a wall of a structure; (b) a roll retention member, the roll retention member having a first end and a second end, wherein the second end of the roll retention member is associated with the first end of the top bar; (c) a roll support, the roll support being associated with the first end of the roll retention member, wherein the roll support is configured to secure a roll of material placed over the roll retention member; and (d) a retention member, the retention member having a first end and a second end, wherein the second end of the retention member is coupled with the second end of the top bar.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the top bar includes at least one bearing configured to facilitate movement of the apparatus along the wall.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the top bar includes a plurality of bearings.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the length of the roll retention member is adjustable.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the roll retention member is telescoping.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the retention member is rotatable relative to the top bar to rotate from a position that secures the apparatus to the wall to a position that releases the apparatus from the wall.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the top bar is adjustable to accommodate different widths of a wall.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the top bar is adjustable between standard widths.
 9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the top bar includes a plurality of pre-set widths selectable by a user.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the roll support is threadedly engaged with the first end of the roll retention member such that the roll support may be detached to add and remove rolls of material from the roll retention member.
 11. A method for wrapping a structure comprising the steps of: providing an apparatus comprising; (a) a top bar, the top bar having a first end and a second end, wherein the top bar is configured for association with the top surface of a wall of a structure; (b) a roll retention member, the roll retention member having a first end and a second end, wherein the second end of the roll retention member is associated with the first end of the top bar; (c) a roll support, the roll support being associated with the first end of the roll retention member, wherein the roll support is configured to secure a roll of material placed over the roll retention member; and (d) a retention member, the retention member having a first end and a second end, wherein the second end of the retention member is coupled with the second end of the top bar; selecting a wall of a structure about which a rolled material is to be wrapped; sizing the top bar of the apparatus to fit a top surface of the wall; placing a roll of material over the roll retention member; securing the roll of material over the roll retention member by attaching the roll support; securing the retention member such that that apparatus is secured to the wall; and moving the apparatus along the wall to deliver the rolled material.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the stop of sizing the top bar comprises manually adjusting the operable length of the top bar.
 13. The method of claim 11, wherein the rolled material is a wrapping material selected from the group consisting of paper, polymer, insulation, plastic, and combinations thereof.
 14. The method of claim 11, wherein the top bar further comprises at least one bearing.
 15. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of securing the retention member comprises rotating the retention member relative to the top bar to secure the apparatus to the wall.
 16. The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of adjusting the length of the roll retention member to accommodate the rolled material.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the step of adjusting the length of the roll retention member comprises telescoping the roll retention member.
 18. The method of claim 11, wherein the roll support is threadedly engaged with the roll retention member.
 19. The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of positioning the roll retention member and the retention member such that they depend in a generally downward direction from the top bar.
 20. The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of moving the apparatus around a corner of the wall, wherein the step of moving the apparatus around a corner of the wall comprises; moving the apparatus adjacent the corner of the wall; rotating the retention member from a position depending generally downward from the top bar to a horizontal position; moving the apparatus around the corner; rotating the retention member from the horizontal position to the position depending generally downward, wherein the top bar of the apparatus maintains contact with the top surface of the wall. 